Josh Hull – The Covid cricket convert set for his England debut

Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at their new recruit.

Where has he come from?

Hull’s has been a brief and unexpected journey to the top. Born in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, he was initially focused on a career in rugby until breaking his right arm at 15. That injury saw him turn towards cricket and he honed his skills during the Covid lockdown summer of 2020. Part of a farming family, his grandmother had a barn converted into a makeshift net facility for him and brother Ollie. A student of the private Stamford School, he spent time in Northamptonshire’s pathway before being picked up by Leicestershire’s academy, where he was initially nurtured by former England seamer Philip DeFreitas en route to a senior debut just 17 months ago.

What is his record?

Like Foxes team-mate Rehan Ahmed and Somerset spinner Shoaib Bashir, Hull has earned Test debut in spite of his slim body of work at domestic level. He has just 16 first-class wickets and 10 appearances under his belt, including just two at an average of 182.50 in Division Two of the Vitality County Championship this season. In years gone by, those statistics would have been enough to render him a non-starter for the Test XI, but England’s selection policy these days is focused on potential and attributes. There have been some early high points, though, including defending eight in the last over of the Metro Bank Cup final last year and taking five wickets for England Lions against Sri Lanka in a tour match last month.

So, what is it about him England like?

Director of cricket Rob Key let the cat out of the bag earlier this year when he name-checked Hull as one to watch, highlighting the profile that marked him out for special attention. At 6ft 7in, his height is an obvious attraction, offering him an unusually high release point, an ability to deliver different lengths and steepling bounce. Just as importantly, he is a quick left-armer. Apart from all-rounder Sam Curran, England have not had a southpaw in their Test attack since Ryan Sidebottom in 2010. There have been plenty to come through the white-ball set-up, including Reece Topley, Tymal Mills, George Garton and Luke Wood, but none with real red-ball credentials.

What is so important about left-armers?

England have not won an away Ashes Test in their last three tours and a common thread between a trio of post-mortems has been a samey attack, built around right-arm seamers who hover around the 85mph bracket. Variety is something subsequent management regimes have craved, so it is no surprise that Hull has been leapt on so keenly. With 14 months to go before the next challenge in Australia, the option of opening up new angles and lines is one that cannot go unexplored. Interestingly, his arrival also plays into the hands of Bashir. Off-spinners thrive when they can operate in the footmarks left by left-armers at the other end and Hull’s sheer presence could help his fellow youngster make more of an impact.

What are his references like?

As well as being endorsed as a “serious talent” by Key, he has earned some glowing notices from colleagues and coaches. Former England bowler Dean Headley, who worked with him at Stamford, described him in five words on X – “Size 15 feet, bowls rockets.” Leicestershire skipper Lewis Hill told Wisden.com earlier this season: “He’s got the world at his feet, that guy. I don’t think he knows how good he is or he can be in the future.” Ollie Pope, who will captain Hull on his international debut at the Kia Oval, said after naming him in the side: “Today was the first time I faced him in the nets and he bowled really nicely so I was like, ‘Yeah, he’s good to go’. When you’re 6ft 7in and you’re pushing up to the 85-90mph mark with a bit of swing and the left-arm angle, there’s a lot to like.”